Selective indicating and display device



p 1942- E. E. BROWN ETAL 2,296,141

SELECTIVE INDICATING AND DISPLAY DEVICE Filed May 1, 1940 4 sneaks-sheet 1 fliiorneas Sept. 15, 1942. E. E. BROWN ETAL 2,296,141

SELECTIVE INDICATING AND DISPLAY DEVICE Filed May 1, 1940 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 5'9 3 59 I M41 41 6+ oocgoo O O .-40J/ 888823557 kwfi 8 3;, 2222/ 2 2 J7 In verviofj' MMJQJ Aiiamys;

P E. E. BROWN ETAL 2,296,141

SELECTIVE INDICATING AND DISPLAY DEVICE Filed May 1, 1940 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 nveniarzs WXQVWJM/ wmaw wwo AiZarn/egs Sept. 5, 1942. E. E. BROWN ETAL SELECTIVE INDICATING AND DISPLAY DEVICE Filed May 1, 1940 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 m QM Patented Sept. 15, 1942 SELECTIVE INDICATING AND DISPLAY DEVICE Earl E. Brown and Ernest A. Anderson, Minneapolis, and William H. Schaper, Robbinsdale,

Application May 1, 1940, Serial No. 332,768

8 Claims.

- Our invention relates to indicating and display apparatus and particularly to such apparatus for displaying a selected one of a plurality of displays.

It is necessary in many lines of business and other activities that participants search through various kinds of books containing schedules, time tables, catalog data and other types of information. In many instances such books have a relatively large number of pages and considerable time and energy is consumed in locating a particular page to which it is desired to refer.

It is a general object of our invention to provide apparatus for selectively displaying any one of a relatively large number of units or groups of informational data.

Another object is to provide such apparatus wherein individual units of information may be provided in miniature form and wherein a selected unit of information is magnified and projected upon a screen.

Still another object is to produce such apparatus which is selectively operable to bring about projection of any desired one of a plurality of informational displays uponthe screen.

Yet another object is to provide such apparatus wherein the units of informational data are disposed on a generally cylindrical rotatable member in a circumferentially extending series of axially extending rows of informational units.

Still another object is to provide such apparatus wherein optical equipment constituting projection means is provided and is adjustively shiftable longitudinally of the cylindrical member for alignment with any selected circumferentially extending row of informational units and wherein the cylindrical member is adjustively rotatable for aligning any selected axial row of informational units with the projection means.

Yet another object is to provide such apparatus including electrically operated automatic position seeking equipment for adjustively rotating the cylindrical member and adjustively shifting the projection means responsive to manipulation of electrical control elements such as push buttons or the like.

A further object is to provide such apparatus wherein the units of informational data may be readily replaced by new units.

A still further object is to provide such apparatus of simple, light, compact, reliable, easily operable, and inexpensive construction.

These and other objects and advantages of the invention will more fully appear from the following description made in connection with the material.

accompanying drawings, wherein like reference characters refer to the same parts throughout the views, and, in which:

Fig. 1 is a front view of an embodiment of our invention;

Fig. 2 is a horizontal sectional view taken on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1, as indicated by the arrows;

Fig. 3 is a vertical sectional view taken on the line 3-3 of Fig. 2, as indicated by the arrows;

Fig. 4 is a front view of another form of our device having automatic electrical control;

Fig. 5 is a front view of a modification of the embodiment shown in Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 is a section take on the line 6-6 of Fig. 4 showing the apparatus contained within the devices of Figs. 4 and 5;

Fig. '7 is a vertical sectional view taken approximately on the line l-| of Fig. 6, as indicated by the arrows;

Fi 8 is a vertical sectional view taken on the line 8-8 of Fig. 6, as indicated by the arrows;

Fig. 9 is a sectional view taken on the line 9-9 of Fig. 8, as indicated by the arrows;

Fig. 10 is a sectional view taken on the line Iii-I0 of Fig. 6, as indicated by the arrows;

Fig. 11 is a sectional view taken on the line i l-l I of Fig. 6, as indicated by the arrows;

Fig. 12 is an electrical connection diagram for the apparatus shown in Fig. 4 and Figs. 6 to 11 inclusive with certain mechanical parts of the apparatus shown diagrammatically; and

Fig. 13 is a modification of a portion of the connection diagram of Fig. 12 applicable to the apparatus of Figs. 3 to 11 inclusive arranged in accordance with Fig. 5.

Referring to the drawings and particularly to Figs. 1 to 3 inclusive thereof we show a manually operable form of our selective indicating and display device built into a cabinet or casing H. Toward the rear of the cabinet I4 we provide therewithin a generally cylindrical member including a tubular element l5 formed of glass, transparent plastic material or other suitable transparent At one end thereof the tubular element I5 is projected into a suitable axially facing annular groove l6a in a wheel or face plate l6 and is secured in the groove by suitable means such as set screws ii. The wheel l6 has a hub l6b secured by suitable means such as the set screw IS on a shaft I!) which projects outwardly through a suitably apertured portion of the right-hand wall Ha of the cabinet l4 and carries on its outer end a knob 20 secured on the shaft l9 by means such as the set screw 2|. The remaining end of the tubular element 15 is provided at its interior periphery with a ring 22 suitably secured therewithin. An annular guide 23a, comprising part of a bracket 23 which is secured to the floor Nb of the cabinet I4 by a suitable means such as the screws 23, includes a flange 23b which serves as a pivot on which the ring 22 mav rotate.

A plurality of rectangular sheets of light transmissive material each bearing indicia produced thereon in miniature is arranged on the peripheral surface of the transparent tubular member IS in a circumferentially extending series of axially extending rows. The respective sheets or units may consist of respective frames of film strips 25 which are similar to motion picture film and which are extended around and secured to the periphery of the tubular element IS in sideby-side relation, as indicated in Fig. 2.

We provide Within the interior space of the tubular member IS a light source such as an electric light bulb 26 provided with a housing 21 having an aperture 21a in the outer side thereof through which the lamp 26 may project a beam of light radially outwardly of the tubular element i 50 that the beam of light thus produced will pass outwardly through the transparent element l5 and one frame or unit of the film strips 25 thereon. We provide a ray diverging lens unit 23 outwardly of the transparent element l5 and having its optical axis common with the axis of the beam of light projected by the light source 26.

Means is provided for supporting the light source 26 and the lens 28 and enabling adjustive movement of the same longitudinally of the tubular element |5 for alignment with any selected one of the several film strips 25. purpose We provide a pair of parallel rods 23 extending parallel to the axis of the tubular element l5 and supported at their ends in bosses 3|! carried by the respective end walls Ma and No of the cabinet M. We provide a body 3| having at respective portions thereof enlargements 3|a which are suitably apertured and mounted in their apertured portions on the rods 28 for sliding movement longitudinally thereof. Carried on the body 3| is a bracket 3|b on the upper end of which the lens unit 28 is rigidly mounted. A pipe 32 is bent into U-shape to form a bracket for supporting the lamp 26 and a socket 28a therefor. The socket 26a to which the lamp case 21 is attached is mounted on the free end of one of the legs of the U-shaped pipe 32. The pipe 32 may be utilized as a conduit for extension of wires 38 therethrough to supply electrical current to the lamp socket 26a. The remaining end of the pipe 32 is provided with screw threads 32a and is projected through an apertured portion of the bracket 3|b as indicated in Figs. 2 and 3. Nuts 33 are placed on the screw threads 32a at respective sides of the bracket 3 lb and are drawn up to rigidly secure the pipe 32 to the bracket 3 lb. It should be apparent that movement Of the body 3| longitudinally of the rods 29 will move the lamp 26 and the lens unit 28 in unison longitudinally of the tubular transparent element l5 so that the common axis of th lamp 26 and lens unit 28 may be aligned with any selected one of the film strips 25. When the lamp 26 and lens unit 28 have been aligned with a selected one of the film strips 25, the knob may be rotated to adjustively position th transparent tubular element l5 so that a selected one of the frames of the selected film strip may be brought into alignment with the common axis of the lamp 23 and the lens unit 28 so that an image of the indicia on the selected frame of the selected one For this of the film strips 25 will be projected outwardly and magnified by the lens unit 28. To assist in properly rotatably positioning th tubular element l5 the peripheral portion of the wheel I8 is provided with a series of notches I and a resilient dog element 34, which is best seen in Fig. 3, is attached to the rear wall lid of the cabinet II to press against the periphery of the wheel l6 for cooperation with the notches l6c. The notches |6c are so located on the periphery of th wheel I6 that the dog 34 will be engaged in one thereof when any selected frame of one of the film strip 25 is aligned properly with the axis of the lamp 25 and len 28.

A manual operating element 35 by which the body 3| may be shifted longitudinally of the rods 23 is formed integrally with the fronrmost one of the enlargements 3|a of th body 3| and extends upwardly and forwardly to project outwardly through a suitable horizontally extending slot 33 formed in the front wall Me of th cabinet ll. Above the slot 36 the front wall He is sloped upwardly and rearwardly, and all but the marginal portion of this sloping part of the front wall He is removed to provide a viewing aperture. A screen 31 preferably formed of translucent sheet material is associated with the sloping portion of the front wall Me to extend thereacross. An enlarged image of miniature indicia on a selected frame of one of the film strips 25 will be projected by the lens unit 28 and wi l be reproduced on the translucent screen 31 to be viewed by a person viewing the outer side of the screen 31. To assist in properly positioning the manually operating element 35 so that proper alignment with a selected one of the film strips 25 will be obtained a pointed projection 35a is provided on the lower and forward side of the element 35 near the inner side of the front wall I32. A member 33 of triangular cross sectional shape is suitably secured to the inner side of the front wall lie to extend parallel to the horizontal slot 33 and to be engaged on an upwardly and inwardly facing surface thereof by the pointed projection 350. To receive the pointed projection 35a the member 38 is provided with a series of notches 33a in the upwardly and rearwardly facing surface thereof, these notches being so situated that the pointed element 35a will be engazed in one thereof when the common axis of the lamp 23 and lens unit 28 is properly aligned with one of the film strips 25. As indicated in Fig. 1, reference letters, such as the letters A to H inclusive. may be placed on the front side of the front wall He immediately below the slot 38 and in alignment with the' respective ones of the notches 39a. To facilitate positioning of the transparent tubular element IS in a selected rotated position thereof the knob 20 may, as indicated in Figs 1 and 2, be made with a polygonal peripheral shape, and the respective faces of the periphery of the knob 20 may be, as indicated in Fig. 1, provided with numerals identifying the respective positions of the knob 20.

Referring to Figs. 4 to 11 inclusive 9. form of our device is shown which is generally similar to that described above but which is provided with push button controlled automatic electrically operated position seeking equipment for adjustively shifting the lamp and lens unit and adjustively rotating the cylindrical indicia bearing structure. A device shown in Figs. 4 to 11 includes a cabinet 33 generally similar to the cabinet Ha described above and having a front wall 40c, the upper portion of which slopes upwardly and rearwardly and is provided in the same manner as the previously described cabinet with a translucent screen 4! similar to the previously described screen. Within the cabinet 49 we provide a rotatable generally cylindrical structure having at its right-hand end a relatively heavy wheel or disc 42 on the marginal portion of which is a flange 42a extending axially to the left. Formed integrally with the flange 42a we provide a circumferentially extending series of circumferentially spaced axially extending bars 42b. Formed integrally with the free ends of the respective bars 42b is a ring 420. The wheel 42 is provided at its axis with a shaft 43 having a squared portion 43a extending through a centrally located square aperture in the wheel 42. Immediately to the right of the wheel 42 the shaft 43 is provided with an integral flange 43b. A portion 490 of the shaft to the left of the wheel 42 is screw threaded and carries thereon a nut 44 drawn up tightly against the lefthand face of the wheel 42. A portion 43d of the shaft 43 is of shorter cross section and constitutes a pivot. Secured to the floor 40b of the cabinet 40 by suitable means such as bolts 45 is an upstanding bracket 49 having a bossed and apertured portion 46a in which the pivot 43d is journalled. A second bracket 41 secured to the floor 40b of the cabinet 49 by suitable means such as bolts 49 is formed in its upper portion into a ring 41a of angular cross sectional shape including an annular flange 41b comprising a pivot on which the internal periphery of the ring 42c runs.

For use with the above described generally cylindrical structure comprising the portions 42, 42a, 42b and 42c we provide indicia bearing means consisting of a plurality of strips 49 of light transmissive material. On each strip 49 we provide a longitudinal series of rectangular sheets 59 of film or emulsion in which the desired respective groups of indicia are formed. These strips 49 are carried by the generally cylindrical structure in the spaces between the bars 42b and are each disposed in a position preferably normal to lines radiating from the axis of the cylindrical structure. To receive the right-hand ends of the strips 49 the flange 42a is provided in its free end portion with leftwardly opening recesses 42d. To receive the left-hand ends of the strips 49 the ring 420 is provided with apertures 42e extending in an axial direction therethrough. The recesses 42d and the apertures 426 are of such dimensions as to relatively snugly receive the strips 49. The strips 49 are inserted from a point at the left of the ring 420 through the apertures 42c and are moved to the right until their right-hand ends are in the recesses 42d. The ring 42c is provided with set screws for securing the strips 49 in their intended position. To enable insertion of the strips 49 in the manner just described the bracket 41 is provided with one or more suitably positioned and dimensioned apertures 410.

As in the previously described form of our apparatus we provide a light source such as the lamp 52 within the interior space of the cylindrical member, this lamp 52 being provided with a socket 52a and a casing 52b. The casing 52b is provided with an aperture 520 in such position as to permit rays from the lamp 52 to pass radially outwardly relative to the generally cylindrical structure. Outwardly of the cylindrical structure we provide a lens unit 53 having an axis common with the axis of the light beam projected by the lamp 52. We provide means for supporting the lamp 52 and lens unit 53 and enabling movement of the same in unison in a direction parallel to the axis of the cylindrical structure. In providing such support we attach to the floor 40b of the cabinet 40 a block 54 of material extending in a direction parallel to the axis of the cylindrical structure and having therein an upwardly opening, relatively deep slot 54a which divides the block 54 in its medial and upper portions into a front upstanding portion 54b and a rear upstanding ortion 540. In the upper portions thereof the front and rear upstanding portions 54b and 540 of the block 54 are provided with mutually facing grooves 54d on the respective inner sides thereof constituting guideways for a sliding member or carriage. A relatively long sliding member or carriage 55 is provided with integral longitudinally extending sidewardly projecting flanges 55a running in the respective grooves 54d. It should be apparent that the direction of movement of the carriage 55 will be parallel to the axis of the generally cylindrical structure. As shown in Fig. 6, a bracket 56 is secured by suitable means, such as the screws 56}, to the left-hand end of the carriage 55. This bracket extends a moderate distance to the left and then is bent rearwardly. The rearwardly bent portion 56a of the bracket carries respective extensions 56b and 560 extending to the right and rigidly carrying at their respective free ends the lens unit 53 and the lamp 52. To facilitate extension of electrical wires to the lamp 52 the bracket 56 may be formed of tubular material and may have an aperture 56d therein for accommodating electrical wires its running to the lamp socket 52a.

The lower side of the carriage 55 is provided throughout its length with rack teeth 55c and a gear 51c meshed with the rack teeth 550 is carried on a pivot 58 carried in suitably apertured portions of the central parts of the front and rear upstanding portions 541; and 54c of the block 54. An electric motor 51 is arranged with its shaft 51a projecting through suitable apertured portions of the upstanding elements 54b and 54c and therebetween carrying a pinion 51b meshed with the gear 510. Operation of the motor will obviously cause longitudinal movement of the carriage 55. For control of the motor 51 in a manner to be later described a strip of electrical insulating material 59 extends along and is suitably secured to the upper face of the carriage 55. On top of the insulating material 59 a pair of electrical conductive strips 60 and GI are provided. The strips 60 and 61 each extend through slightly less than half the length of the carriage 55 and a piece of insulating material 62 is placed between mutually facing ends of the respective strips 60 and Si, the tops of the strips 60 and GI and of the piece of insulating material 62 being flush with each other. Above the conductive strips 60 and iii the front upstanding portion 54b of the block 54 is provided with a rearivardlv projecting longitudinally extending flange 543 which has therealong a'longitudinally extending series of longitudinally spaced vertical apertures 54], each of which is hushed with a tubular electrical insulating element 63. Working in each of the tubular insulating elements 63 is an electrical brush 64 pressed downwardly into engagement with the upper surface of the track formed by the conductive elements 60 and BI and the insulating element 62 by a spring 65 which has a base insulated from the element 541; by an insulating member 68 and secured thereto by means oi a screw 61. The rear one of the flanges 55a of the carriage 55 is provided with notches 55b. The central portion the rear upstanding portion 54c is vertically apertured and this apertured portion contains a vertically slidable plunger 60 carrying a roller 69 for engagement with the notches 5512. A cap is secured in the upper portion 01' the aperture in the upstanding element 54c and contains a compression spring ll bearing downwardly on the plunger 68. The notches 58b are so situated along the length of the flange 55a that the roller 69 will be engaged in one 01' the notches 55b when the lamp 52 and lens unit 53 are aligned with any one of the circumferentially extending rows of indicia bearing portions 50 of the light transmissive strips 49. Push button controlled automatic electrically operated position seeking equipment of which the strips 60 and ii, the brushes 64 and the motor 51 constitute a part will be later described.

Referring again to the rotatably supported generally cylindrical structure in which the indicia bearing strips 49 are carried, an electric motor 12 is provided for producing rotation thereof. The shaft 12a of the motor carries a pinion 12b meshed with gear teeth 42! iormed on the periphery of the wheel 42. hand portion of the flange 42a is provided in one part of its periphery with an insert 12 of The rightinsulating material, the outer surface of the insert 13 being flush with the smooth circular periphery of the right-hand portion of the flange 42a. Encircling the right-hand half of the flange 42a is an annular brush supporting member 14 having feet 14a secured to the floor 40b of the cabinet 40 by suitable means, such as the bolts 15. At points equally separated around the circumference of the member 14 tubular insulating elements 16 are secured in radially apertured portions of the brush supporting member 14. Each of the tubular insulating elements 16 constitutes a guide and contains therewithin an electrical brush l1 bearing radially inwardly against the periphery of the right-hand portion of the flange 42a. Springs 18 press the brushes ll inwardly and are attached at their bases to the member 14 by means such as the screws 19 and are separated electrically from the member 14 by insulating elements 80. Push button controlled automatic electrically actuated position seeking means of which the motor 12, the insulation insert 13, and the brushes I6 constitute a part will be later described. For establishing a dependable electrical connection between the wheel 42 and the bracket 46 a spring II is provided bearing against the end of the pivot 42d and secured to the bracket 46 by suitable means such as the screw 80.

The left-hand portion of the flange 42a is provided with a series of axial notches 42a spaced circumferentially thereabout. Attached to the upper portion of the brush supporting member 14 is a vertical guide member 23 containing a plunger 84 which carries on its lower end a roller 85 for engagement in the notches 42g. Above the plunger 85 a compression spring 86 is confined within the guide 83 to press the plunger 84 downwardly. The notches 420 are so situated on the flange 42a that the roller 85 will be disposed in one of the notches 420 when any one of the respective strips 49 is properly aligned with the lamp 52 and the lens unit '2.

Reierring to Fig. 12 we show therein the electrical connections involved in the automatic push button controlled electrically actuated position flnding equipment of the apparatus shown in Figs. 4 and 6 to 11 inclusive. As shown in Fig. 4, we provide a plurality oi electrical push buttons ll, each of which has contacts equivalent to three stationary contacts 41a, 81b and Me, all engageable by a common moving electrical contact member l'ld which is pushed toward the stationary contacts by pressure on the external finger piece 21c 01! the push button. We provide a battery ll of which the positive terminal indicated by a plus sign is connected through a branching wire 80 to the center stationary contacts "D of each and every one 0! the twenty-five electrical push buttons 81 shown in Fig. 12. It should be apparent then that operation oi any one o! the push buttons II will result in the positive terminal 01 the battery It being connected to the remaining two stationary contact elements 81a and I'll). In the top row of push buttons '1 the left-hand stationary contacts Ila of all 01 the buttons in that row are connected through a wire 00 to one of the brushes 11 working on the periphery of the wheel 42 associated with the rotatable generally cylindrical indicia carrying structure. Similarly the left-hand stationary contact elements 21a of the next lower row or push buttons contacts are all connected through a wire II to another of the brushes 11. Following the same scheme wires 92, 93 and 94 connect all oi the left-hand push button contacts "a in the third, fourth and fltth rows respectively to respective remaining ones of the brushes 11. The wheel 42 is connected through a wire ,5 to one terminal N of the motor 12 and the remaining terminal ll of the motor 12 is connected through a wire 92 to the negative terminal of the battery 88 which is indicated by a minus sign. It a push button in one of the horizontal rows is pressed, current from the battery will flow through the contacts "b and Ila of that push button and continue through one o! the wires to 83 inclusive to one of the brushes 11. From that brush 11 the current will flow through the wheel 42a and the wire 95 to the motor 12, through the motor 12 and into the negative terminal oi the battery ll through the wire 98. This will cause the motor to rotate and rotation of the motor will continue until the block 13 ot insulating material in the periphery oi the wheel 42 reaches a positionvunder the one of the brushes 11 through which the current has been delivered to the motor 12. Alignment of the insulating block 13 with the one of the brushes ll through which current has been delivered to the motor 12 will cause interruption in the flow oi current to the motor. The spring pressed roller 85 will force itself into one of the notches 42b into which it has at least partially entered and will cooperate with the inclined planes defining the notch to accurately position the wheel 42 so that one of the light transmissive indicia bearing strips 49 will be accurately aligned with the lamp 52 and lens 52. It should be seen that pressing arw one of the buttons in the top horizontal row of push buttons will cause the wheel 42 to be rotated to the position thereof in which it is shown in Fig. 13. Operation of any button in the second row will cause rotation of the wheel 42 to another position, and, likewise, operation of buttons in any one of the remaining rows of push buttons will cause the wheel 42 to be positioned in one of its remaining positions.

The right-hand stationary contacts 5'Ic of the left-hand vertical row of push buttons are all connected through a wire 55 to next to the righthand end one of the brushes 54 associated with the carriage 55. All of the right-hand stationary contact elements 81c 01' the second vertical row of push buttons 51 are connected through a wire I to the next brush to the left of the one just mentioned. Similarly the right-hand stationary contacts 'Ic of the third, fourth and fifth vertical rows of buttons are connected through respective wires IOI, I02, and I0 to other of the brushes 54. The motor 51 has one commutator brush 51d connected through a wire I04 to the negative terminal of the battery 55. The remaining commutator brush We of the motor 51 is connected to the midpoint of a center tapped field winding 51! comprising part of the motor 51. The motor 51 being equipped with a center tapped .field coil is a reversible motor and its direction of rotation will depend upon which half of the field winding 51! is connected in circuit with the commutator brushes 51d and 510. The end terminals 51g of the field winding 51! are connected through wires I05 and I05 to the respective endmost ones of the brushes 54. These endmost ones of the brushes 54 constitute terminals into which current from the positive terminal of the battery 55 may be fed to the motor 51. When one of the push buttons in one of the vertical rows thereof is operated the positive terminal of the battery 55 will be connected through the push button and one of the wires 55 to I05 inclusive to one of the intermediate brushes 54. The brush thus energized will be in contact with one or the'other of the conductive strips 50 and 5I dependent upon the position of the carriage 55. For example, as one of the brushes 54 to the right of the insulation insert 52 is energized, current therefrom will feed through the righthand strip 5| and the right-hand brush 54 to the upper terminal of the field winding 51! whereby the upper half of the field winding 51! will be in operation to cause rotation of the motor 51 in one direction. This rotation of the motor will be in such direction as to cause movement of the carriage 55 to the right and this movement will continue until the insulation insert 52 arrives under the energized brush 54 to interrupt the motor circuit and thus cause the motor to stop. At this time the roller 59 will cooperate with one of the notches 555 on the carriage fiange 55a to cause accurate positioning of the carriage 55 so that the axis of the lamp 52 and the lens 53 will be accurately aligned with a selected one of the circumferentially extending rows of indicia bearing sheets 50. If the energized one of the brushes 54 had been to the left of the insulationinsert 52 the lower half of the field winding 51! would have been brought into action to cause the motor to move the carriage 55 to the left until the insulation insert 52 had reached a position under the energized brush. From the above it should be seen that operation of any of the push buttons in the left-hand vertical row thereof will cause the motor 51 to shift the carriage 55 to a point where the insulation insert 52.

is below the nextto the right-hand end one of the brushes 54. Similarly, operation of any of the push buttons in the second vertical row thereof will cause the carriage 55 to assume another one of its respective positions. Other positions of the carriage 55 will be arrived at by operation of buttons in the other remaining vertical rows thereof.

It should be apparent that pressing of one of the buttons 51 will operate both of the motors 51 and I2 to cause adjustive shifting of the carriage 55 and adJustive rotation of the wheel 42.

' Thus only one push button need be pressed to align any one of the indicia bearing sheets 50 with the axis of the lamp 52 and lens 53. For purposes of simplicity, we have shown a control system involving only five longitudinally spaced positions and five rotationally obtained positions. With the system described this involves twentyfive push buttons as shown in Fig. 12. Referring to Fig. 9, it will be seen that only five strips 49 are provided on the rotatable cylindrical structure whereas, as indicated in dotted lines, additional strips 49 could be provided. As should be apparent the system shown in Fig. 12 would be accordingly extended to accommodate the additional positions of indicia bearing sheets 50. The system of Fig. 12 is useful where the number of indicia bearing sheets is not too great and affords the advantage that only one button need be pressed to cause production on the screen 4| of any desired one of the available indicia bearing sheets 50.

Where a larger number of indicia bearing sheets are provided the number of push buttons would become excessive and accordingly we provide, as indicated in Fig. 13, an alternative control button arrangement, wherein the left-hand row of push buttons I01 control only the rotational positioning equipment and are arranged to connect the positive terminal of the battery 58 to respective ones of the wires 5| to 94 inclusive. The right-hand vertical row of push buttons are arranged to control only adjustive positioning of the carriage 55 and are connected to establish circuits from the battery 55 to the respective wires 95 to I05 inclusive. It is believed that operation of the push buttons I01 of Fig. 13 will be apparent from the preceding explanation of the operation of the circuits shown in Fig. 12. Fig. 5 of the drawings shows the front wall 40a of the cabinet 40 as it would appear equipped with the ten push buttons I0'I shown in Fig. 13. While the arrangement of Fig. 13 provides for only five positions of the carriage 55 and five rotational positions of the generally cylindrical rotatable structure it should be apparent that this scheme could be readily extended to provide for many more positions without involving a cumbersome number of push buttons I0I.

While we have described the apparatus shown in the drawings as including a translucent screen 4| we are aware that this screen might well be omitted when desired and the projected image could then be projected on a more distantly located screen similar to that employed in connection with stereopticon and motion picture equipment.

It should be apparent that we have invented a novel, selective indicating, and display device capable of rapid and easy operation to display any selected one of a large number of individual groups of indicia.

It will, of course, be understood that various changes may be made in the form, details, arrangement and proportions of the various parts without departing from the scope of our invention.

What is claimed is:

1. Display apparatus comprising, a generally cylindrical hollow member, a plurality of indiciabearing sheets of light-transmissive material of respectively similar dimensions carried by said member and arranged thereon in a circumferentially extending series or axially extending rows thereof, an outwardly directed light source within said member and a lens outside said member disposed on a common axis for projection of an image of the indicia on one of said sheets outwardly through said lens, a structure rigidly carrying said light source and said lens and being adjustively movable longitudinally of said member means for selectively moving said structure for aligning and maintaining said axis with any selected one of the respective circumierentially extending rows of said sheets, said member being adjustively rotatable for aligning any selected one of the respective axially extending rows of said sheets with said axis, selectively operated means for effecting desired rotation to make said desired alignment and an image-receiving screen situated outwardly of said member from said lens.

2. Display apparatus comprising, a generally cylindrical hollow member, a plurality of indiciabearing sheets of light-transmissive material of respectively similar dimensions carried by said member and arranged thereon in a circumferentially extending series of axially extending rows thereof, an outwardly directed light source within said member and a lens outside said member disposed on a common axis for projection of an image of the indicia on one of said sheets outwardly through said lens, a structure rigidly carrying said light source and said lens and being adiustively movable longitudinally of said member, means for selectively moving said structure in both directions for aligning said axis with any selected one of the respective circumierentially extending rows of said sheets, said member being adiustively rotatable for aligning any selected one of the respective axially extending rows or said sheets with said axis, means for selectively rotating said member for effecting any of said desired alignments and a translucent image-receiving screen situated outwardly of said member from said lens.

3. Display apparatus comprising, a generally cylindrical hollow member, a plurality of sheets of light-transmissive material of respectively similar dimensions bearing miniature indicia n various ones thereof, said sheets being carried by said member and arranged thereon in a circumferentially extending series of axially extending rows thereof, an outwardly directed light source within said member and a light ray diverging lens disposed outwardly of said member on a common I axis with said light source for outwardly projecting and magnifying the indicia. of one of said sheets, a structure rigidly carrying said light source and said lens and being adjustively mova-ble axially of said member means for selectively moving said member in both directions for aligning said axis with any selected one of the respective circumferentially extending rows of said sheets, said member being adjustively rotatable for aligning any selected one of the respective axially extending rows of said sheets with said axis, means for selectively controlling the rotation of said member in clockwise and counterclockwise direction and an image-receiving screen situated outwardly of said member to receive a magnified image projected by light from said source.

4. Display apparatus comprising, a cabinet, a generally cylindrical hollow member within said cabinet, a plurality of indicia-bearing sheets 01' light transmissive material of respectively similar dimensions carried by said member and arranged thereon in a circumterentially extending series or axially extending rows thereof, an outwardly directed light source within said member ior projecting an image of the indicia on one or said sheets outwardly, a carriage mounted within said cabinet for adjustive movement in a path parallel to the axis or said member and including a projecting portion on which said light source is rigidly mounted whereby said light source may be aligned with any selecied one of the respective circumierentially extending rows of said sheet, a selective manual operating element for said carriage extending to a point outside of said cabinet, said member being adlustively rotatable for aligning any selected one or the respective axially extending rows or said sheets with said light source, a selective manual operating element for said member extending to a point outside of said cabinet in proximity to the first mentioned operating element, said cabinet having an opening therein situated outwardly of the various adjusted positions of said light source and closely adjacent the said operating elements, and an image-receiving screen extending across said opening.

5. A display device, comprising a generally cylindrical hollow member, a plurality of indiciabearing sheets of light-transmissive material of respectively similar dimensions carried by said member and arranged thereon in a circumferentially extending series of axially extending rows thereof, a carriage mounted beside said member for adjustive movement in a direction parallel to the axis of said member, one end of said member being open, an arm carried by said carriage extending into the interior space of said member through the open end thereof, a light source carried on said arm within said member and directed generally radially outwardly thereof for projecting an image oi. the indicia on one of said sheets outwardly, alignment 01' said light source with any selected one of the respective circumferentially extending rows of said sheets being effected by adlustive movement of said carriage, means for selectively effecting such adjustments said mem her being mounted for adjustive rotation thereof to align any selected one of the respective axially extending rows of said sheets with said light source, means for selectively eifecting said adjustive rotation and an image-receiving screen situated outwardly of said member to receive an image projected by light from said light source.

6. The combination defined in claim 5 and a lens supported from said carriage and disposed outwardly of said light source on a common axis therewith to direct light rays therefrom.

'7. The combination defined in claim 5 and a lens supported from said carriage disposed between said member and said screen on a common axis with said light source to direct light rays therefrom onto said screen.

8. Display apparatus comprising, a generally cylindrical hollow member, means for mounting said member for oscillation, a plurality of indiciabearing sheets or light-transmissive material of respectively similar dimensions carried by said member and arranged thereon in a circumferentially extending series of axially extending rows thereof, an outwardly directed light source within said member and a lens outside of said member disposed on a common axis with said light source for projection of an image of the indicia of one of said sheets outwardly through said lens, a structure rigidly carrying said light source and selectively in both directions to align and maintain said axis with a longitudinal center of any desired axially extending rows of said sheets, and an image receiving screen situated outwardly of 5 said member from said lens.

EARL E. BROWN. ERNEST A. ANDERSON. WILLIAM H. SCI-IAPER. 

